Madison Township family hopes to secure therapy dog for autistic son

Submitted
Loved ones of Bryson Pastor, an 11-year-old boy who lives in Madison Township and is afflicted with mitochondrial disease, autism and post traumatic stress syndrome, have initiated a fundraiser to purchase a therapy dog with the purpose of calming and comforting him.

“It’s time to make Bryson feel safe.”
That’s the message on gofundme.com, a website dedicated to fundraising for special causes.
Loved ones of Bryson Pastor, an 11-year-old boy who lives in Madison Township and is afflicted with mitochondrial disease, autism and post traumatic stress syndrome, initiated the fundraiser to purchase a therapy dog with the purpose of calming and comforting him.
About $1,400 has been raised thought the website and another $600 from outside donations, many of which were provided by customers of Lanna Pastor, Bryson’s mother, who works as a server at Applebee’s Restaurant in Mentor.
Approximate costs for the endeavor are $2,250, for the dog, $1,000 to deliver it to Ohio and, $2,000 for each of six months of training
Because of Bryson’s condition he is schooled at home where distractions are fewer.
“He cannot go into any room alone,” Lanna explained. “His brain damage is in the area of processing and goes straight to fight or flight. If he hears a noise he thinks someone is after him and he can’t process it.”
Not only has research shown that therapy dogs are highly beneficial in similar cases but Bryson is extremely fond of canines.
The dog, a golden retriever, will likely come from a breeder in California and be trained by Rachel Friedman, founder and president of A Better Pet LLC in Cleveland Heights.
Friedman, who has a background in social work and started working with therapy dogs in 2000, noted that the dog will not only help Bryson at this point, but also will assist him during adolescence and young adulthood.
“With a child like Bryson, who’s got a lot of fear, anxieties and neediness, I want a dog who’s going to be very easy going, intelligent, loving, sweet, connected and athletic but not hyper.”
She added that regardless of the training that takes place, once the client and canine meet new ways of helping often surface on their own.
“The dog will be trained to lean on him when given a command, which will comfort him and have a calming effect, too,” states information on the gofundme.com website. “Also, the dog will redirect Bryson from constant stimming — going into his own world and shutting ours out because it’s too overstimulating. His future service dog will provide him with the extra companionship he needs to gain a little independence in his own home.”
In an effort to raise enough funds for the endeavor, an event is set for 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 26 at Applebee’s, 9174 Mentor Ave.
Diners who either bring in a flier found at www.gofundme.com/Bryson-Pastor-Therapy-Dog or mention the cause to their server will have a portion of their check donated to the fund.
Taking place at the event will be a Chinese auction, face painting and entertainment beginning at 5 p.m.
Friedman along with two trained canines also will be on hand.
And Bryson?
“Bryson will probably be under a table petting the dogs,” Lanna said.